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Ida McKinley
Date of Birth: June 8, 1847
Date of Death: May 26, 1907
Age at death: 59
Married: Jan 25, 1871 William McKinley

Children: 2

  • Her first child lived to three years, and the second died in infancy
  • Both pregnancies were difficult, and Ida fell ill, often having epileptic seizures which left her an invalid
  • When her husband became governor of Ohio, they took residency across from his office so he could wave to her from his window each afternoon
  • Upon entering the White House concessions had to be made for Ida
  • She always sat to her husband's immediate right so, in the event of a seizure, he could place a handkerchief over her face until the attack ceased
  • While attending the New York World's Fair in 1901, the president was assassinated
  • Just before he died, McKinley cautioned his aides to be careful how they broke the news to Ida
  • As First Lady she crocheted an estimated 1,000 pairs of slippers which she gave to guests and friends
  • Ida enjoyed siting by her window at lunch time and watch the staff to play baseball on the South Lawn